Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to host you as we mark The International Day of Zero Waste. I thank our co-organizer Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation, whose Chair, Mr. Samet Ağırbaş, is also our High Level Climate Champion. I also thank friends at Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, DEFRA, E3G, Tetra Pak, London Community Kitchen and World Resources Institute for the great support. We are also grateful to our panelists for taking their time and being with us today.

We are gathered here not only to discuss an environmental issue, but to reflect on something that effects the future of our children, an issue of shared responsibility and global justice.

The International Day of Zero Waste, observed on March 30, stands as a strong example of what collective action can achieve.

Declared by UNGA just four years ago, in 2022, under Türkiye’s leadership and with the co-sponsorship of 105 countries, it sends a clear message: constructive leadership and cooperation can deliver concrete results.

The Zero Waste Project itself was launched in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Mrs Emine Erdoğan and has since evolved into a global movement. Today, the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, chaired by Mrs Erdoğan, brings together distinguished leaders and experts to promote best practices and strengthen international cooperation.

Distinguished participants,

Zero Waste is not merely a technical policy. It is a comprehensive vision that requires us to rethink production and consumption patterns and to adopt a way of life that is in harmony with nature.

At the centre of this vision lies a critical challenge: food waste.

Each year, one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. This is not only an economic loss; it also means the waste of water, land, energy and human effort, while at the same time deepening the climate crisis and increasing global food insecurity.

Without addressing food waste, it is not possible to achieve the SDGs or to effectively combat climate change. This makes it not only an environmental priority, but also a moral and humanitarian responsibility.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Türkiye has taken decisive steps in this field. Since 2017, the Zero Waste Project has delivered tangible and measurable results, with the leadership of Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change and with the support of civil society partners like Zero Waste Foundation.

Our waste recovery rate has increased from 13% to 36%, while 74.5 million tonnes of recyclable waste have been recovered and 553 million trees have been saved. The project has also generated an economic value of about 6 billion dollars. Since 2017, around 25 million people have also received training on Zero Waste practices.

These results demonstrate that environmental policies and economic growth are not in contradiction; on the contrary, they reinforce one another. Looking ahead, we aim to increase our recovery rate to 60% by 2035 and to 70% by 2053, in line with our 2053 Net Zero Emissions Vision and our updated NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution).

At the global level, Zero Waste also supports the transition to a circular economy by reducing the use of raw materials, saving energy, lowering carbon emissions and limiting methane emissions from landfills.

Given that more than 2 billion tonnes of municipal waste are generated every year worldwide, effective waste management has become an essential component of climate action.

Distinguished guests,

Türkiye remains committed to playing an active and constructive role in environmental diplomacy. We look forward to hosting COP31 in Antalya.

We approach COP31 not only as an organisational responsibility, but as a strategic opportunity to advance a more inclusive and results-oriented global climate agenda.

We aim to strengthen climate justice by ensuring that the concerns and priorities of developing countries are fully reflected in decision-making.

We seek to build bridges between developed and developing nations, fostering trust and enhancing cooperation at a time when we need collective action.

We will focus on implementation and delivery. The next phase of the Global Stocktake must translate commitments into concrete outcomes, guided by science and supported by practical solutions.

We attach particular importance to resilience, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Pacific and Mediterranean, where challenges such as water stress, extreme heat and food security are becoming increasingly urgent.

Finally, we see cities as central actors in climate action. Promoting resilient and sustainable urban models will be among our priorities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our approach is holistic. We address climate action, sustainable development and food security within a single, integrated framework. Because we believe that fragmented solutions cannot deliver results; only systemic transformation can.

We will further deepen our Zero Waste vision, with a stronger focus on preventing food waste across the entire supply chain, promoting responsible consumption and strengthening international partnerships.

What we need today is not only better policies, but also stronger global will and a shared sense of leadership.

Türkiye stands ready to contribute with a constructive, inclusive and results-oriented approach.

We firmly believe that, through cooperation and shared responsibility, we can build a more just, more resilient and more sustainable world.

I wish that the International Day of Zero Waste strengthens global awareness, and I thank all of you for your contributions.

Now, let me invite Nick Mabey, founder and CEO of E3G to the floor. This will be followed by a video message from Mrs. Emine Erdogan, then we will proceed to the panel.

Thank you.